With farmers staging protests over an alleged shortage of urea and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilisers, the political tension in Haryana has intensified. As the issue carries significant political sensitivity, the opposition has intensified its pressure on the BJP-led government in Haryana.Officials continue to insist that there is no real shortage. “Farmers have been rushing to take the fertilisers out of a panic,” an official stated.Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Bains said, “farmers staged protests at three places in Kurukshetra on July 17, in addition to similar protests in Hisar, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Sirsa and Bhiwani”.On July 17, the farmers allegedly held an agriculture official hostage in Pehowa and blocked the Hisar-Chandigarh highway. Farmer leader Prince Waraich added that senior officers were also gheraoed (surrounded) the following day.“Currently, the farmers need urea for the paddy crop, but they want DAP for the next crop too. As of now, there is an acute shortage of both fertilisers in the state,” Bains claimed.Official sources say the panic has been triggered by the government’s recent move requiring farmers to register on an official web portal to receive fertilisers. “Some farmers believe they may not get fertilisers because of this condition,” an official said. “But this requirement is meant to ensure fertilisers are given only to genuine farmers. There have been reports of farmers from neighbouring states acquiring Haryana’s supplies while our first priority is the farmers of Haryana.”Government figures show that of the 10.07 lakh metric tonne (MT) urea allocated for the season, 5.8 lakh MT has already arrived in the state. Combined with the earlier stock of 2.7 lakh MT, total availability reaches 8.5 lakh MT, with 7.5 lakh MT already sold. “Farmers only need 5.91 lakh MT of urea from April 1 to July 19,” an official explained.Story continues below this adRegarding DAP, officials confirmed that 1.46 lakh MT had landed in Haryana out of 2.83 lakh MT allocated, with 1.10 lakh MT sold and 36,000 MT currently in stock. An additional 5,467 MT is in transit. Farmers needed only 1.37 lakh MT for the same April to July period, according to the officials.The panic is rooted in previous years’ shortfalls. In 2021, then chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had to direct district and police officials to prevent illegal movement of fertiliser outside the state. Again in 2024, during the sowing of mustard and wheat, a nationwide DAP shortage led to chaos, requiring police intervention in distribution.“DAP is essential during the root development stage,” an official noted.Former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda criticised the government for the current situation. “Farmers have been waiting in long queues for days, only to return empty-handed. Fertilisers are being sold in black while farmers fear crop losses due to delays,” he said.Story continues below this ad“Now the government wants farmers to use a portal. They must explain how fertiliser not available at a cooperative centre will magically appear online.”Congress MP Kumari Selja said the party will raise the issue both in the Assembly and Parliament.Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana said that there is no shortage of urea in Haryana. “I regularly interact with farmers, and wherever fertiliser is needed, I instruct officers to ensure supply. At present, there is no shortage in the state,” he said, adding that DAP is being imported and delivered daily alongside urea via train.